Combination charging and dispensing valve for aerosol containers

ABSTRACT

An improved valve for pressurizing and sealing aerosoltype containers comprises a resilient valve member having longitudinally-shaped charging and sealing grooves adapted to engage the peripheral edge surface of an aperture in the container. When the valve&#39;&#39;s charging groove receives the aperture edge surface, the container is pressurized through longitudinally-extending, discontinuous recesses in the resilient valve member. When the resilient valve member is pushed inwardly, its sealing groove receives the aperture edge surface and the container is sealed. Especially configured recesses permit unrestricted movement of the resilient valve member as it travels from its charging groove to its sealing groove. The resilient member may further include a configured passageway extending therethrough and a valve insert member disposed in sealing engagement with the passageway. The valve insert member is operable upon movement thereof to open the passageway for dispensing the contents of the container.

tilted States tet n91 Eyerdam et al.

m1 3,869,072 Mar. 4, 1975 COMBINATION CHARGING AND DISPENSING VALVE FOR AEROSUL CONTAINERS [75] Inventors: Homer F. Eyerdam, Roxboro;

Richard C. Leimbach, Durham, Both of NC.

[73] Assignee: Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: Nov. 10, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 305,384

[52] US. Cl ZZZ/402.16, l4l/20, 251/349 [51] Int. Cl 865d 83/00 [58] Field of Search 141/2, 3, 20; 222/402.l6;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,618,832 ll/l97l Webster ZZZ/402.16

Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Assistant E.raminer-Frederick R. Schmidt Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Teagno & Toddy [57] ABSTRACT An improved valve for pressurizing and sealing aerosoltype containers comprises a resilient valve member having longitudinally-shaped charging and sealing grooves adapted to engage the peripheral edge surface of an aperture in the container. When the valves charging groove receives the aperture edge surface, the container is pressurized through longitudinally-extending, discontinuous recesses in the resilient valve member. When the resilient valve member is pushed inwardly, its sealing groove receives the aperture edge surface and the container is sealed. Especially configured recesses permit unrestricted movement of the resilient valve member as it travels from its charging groove to its sealing groove.

The resilient member may further include a configured passageway extending therethrough and a valve insert member disposed in sealing engagement with the passageway. The valve insert member is operable upon movement thereof to open the passageway for dispensing the contents of the container.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 4 I975 SHLU 1 BF 2 COMBINATEUN @HARGING AND DISPENSING VALVE FUR AEROSOL CONTAINERS This invention pertains to a valve for pressurizing and sealing a container and more particularly to a two-stage charging valve for use with aerosol-type containers.

The invention is particularly applicable to a twostage charging and sealing valve which also serves as a housing for the dispensing valve of a pressurized aerosol container and will be described with particular reference thereto, although it will be appreciated that the invention can be used as a pressure charging valve for any type of container.

Heretofore there have been numerous systems designed for pressurizing containers which, for convenience, will hereafter be referred to as top or bottom charging systems depending upon which end the container is charged.

One top charging system simply inserted the contents into the container under pressure by injecting same through the dispensing valve of the container. All too often this method was unsuitable for mass production because the size of the orifice within the dispensing valve was too small to permit rapid charging of the container.

Another more widely used top charging system charged the container by means of an opening in the top end which was then capped with a cap containing a dispensing valve. This system was relatively expensive when it is considered that an especially formed cap must be used and complex machinery employed to keep the contents of the container under pressure while securing the cap in place.

Bottom charging systems, especially adaptable for containers having a plastic bag or the like therein for separating the products to be dispensed from the propellants, generally employed a rubber grommet adapted to fit within an aperture in the bottom of the container. The container was charged either by a needle inserted through the grommet or directlycharged through the aperture and the grommet inserted thereafter. Either charging method required complex equipment which needed constant inspection and maintenance.

Bottom charging systems were substantially improved by the use of an especially configured grommet as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,522,900 to John B. Nicholson, dated Aug. 4, 1970. In accordance with the teachings of this patent, a rubber grommet was provided with two annular grooves longitudinally spaced by an enlarged cylindrical portion; the grooves adapted to receive the edge of the container opening. With the grommet positioned in the first groove, the container was pressurized whereupon the grommet was pushed inwardly to the second groove which sealed the container. More particularly, charging was accomplished by passing pressurized fluid through discontinuous recesses extending both radially inwardly beyond the first grooveand longitudinally above and below the first groove. The recesses thus defined openings communicating theinterior of the container with the area adjacent and outside of the bottom of the container.

Valves constructed in accordance with the teachings of the aforementioned Nicholson patent however suffered a rather serious structural problem which impeded movement when the valve was pushed from the first groove to the second. Briefly, in a valve of this type, both. grooves must tightly engage the container opening, the first to hold the valve in position while charging and the second to seal the container. Therefore the first or charging groove is positioned radially inwardly further than the second or sealing groove to enable the valve to be initially inserted into the opening. Thus a frustoconical transition surface above the first groove and terminating at the intermediate cylindrical portion is provided and when the valve is pushed from the first groove to the second groove, the transition surface must be compressed to pass through the aperture. When the rubber of the transition surface is compressed within the area of the recesses, an abrupt sharp edge at the outermost extremity of the recess protrudes over the edge of the aperture and resists further movement of the valve when the valve reaches the protrusion. The valve is then wedged on the edge of the recesses until a greater force is exerted which in some instances is sufficient to tear the rubber of the grommet and thereby destroy the ability of the valve to seal the container at the second position.

It is thus a principle feature of this subject invention to provide a valve which overcomes all of the abovenoted disadvantages of prior charging valves while also providing a valve which is capable of functioning as a dispensing valve for a container.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a valve for insertion into an opening in a container for pressurizing and sealing a container comprising a longitudinally-extending resilient body of generally circular cross-sectional configuration. The valve comprises first and second shoulder portions having first and second annular grooves respectively. Disposed between and contiguous with the first and second portions is a generally cylindrical intermediate portion. Each annular groove is of a diameter greater than that of the opening. Tapering surfaces are provided which permit the valve to enter the container opening, seat in the first annular groove, and then travel along the intermediate portion to seat in the second annular groove. Extending radially inwardly beyond the bottom of the first annular groove in the first shoulder portion and longitudinally above and below the first groove is a plurality of evenly spaced discontinuous recesses. Each recess comprises an upper and lower area extending above and below the first groove respectively. The lower area is defined a laterally extending arcuate surface parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the valve. The upper area is defined as a sphero-conical or bulletshaped surface.

When the valve is seated in the first annular groove, the container may be charged through the recesses. After charging, the valve is pushed further into the opening and travels unimpededly past the intermediate cylindrical portion to seat in the second annular groove and seal the container. Movement of the valve from the first to the second groove is relatively smooth and unimpeded because of the particular configuration and position of the upper portion of the recesses which provide a ramp effect that prevents bunching" or wedging of the rubber material as the upper edges of the recesses pass through the aperture in the container.

ln accordance with another aspect of the invention, the interior of the valve is hollowed to form a cavity of predetermined shape which forms part of a flow passageway therethrough. inserted within this cavity and in sealing engagement therewith is a dispensing valve member.

It is thus a principle object of this invention to provide a resilient valve having two insertion stages for charging and sealing a container by means of discontinuous recesses at the charging stage which are especially configured to permit relatively unimpeded travel from the charging stage to the sealing stage.

It is another object of this invention to provide discontinuous recesses in a resilient two-stage charging and sealing valve member which are easily molded in said resilient member.

Another object of this invention is to provide a twostage charging sealing resilient valve having a passageway therethrough for receiving a dispensing valve for the container.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a charging and sealing valve for a container which permits the container to be constructed without the necessity of providing a separate cap for sealing and charging the container.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a combination charging and dispensing valve which permits containers to be assembled and charged rapidly and efficiently.

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view in section of the twostage valve and its associated parts.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the valve in section taken along the plane indicated by Line 22 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the valves recess in a plane taken along Line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and illustrating the prior art.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view in section similar to FIG. 1 showing the compression of the resilient body as the valve travels from its first to its second stage.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the prior art.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, there is shown in FIG. 1 the top end of a container 10 having an opening 12 and a resilient two-stage valve 14 interposed within opening 12. Valve 14 has an irregularly shaped cavity 15 extending therethrough for receiving a dispensing valve member 16. The exterior surface of valve 14 comprises longitudinally-extending first and second shoulder portions 18, 19 and an intermediate portion 20 disposed between and contiguous with the first and second shoulders l8, l9.

Dispensing valve member 16 shown in FIG. 1 is of the basic tilt-type operation, a detailed explanation of which is stated in a pending application, Ser. No. 193,010 which was filed on Oct. 27, 1971 now U.S.

- Pat. No. 3,749,360 issued July 31, 1973 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Other dispensing valves may also be employed.

Briefly dispensing valve member 16 comprises an actuator head 22 and a valve insert element 23 in sealing engagement with an irregularly-shaped cavity 15 of two-stage valve 14. Valve insert element 23 is affixed at one end 24 to actuator head 22 with its other end 25 received and terminating within cavity 15. Valve insert element 23 also has a flange 27 disposed outside of cavity l5 and a shoulder 28 disposed within cavity 15. Cavity 15 is open ended with a flange 31 extending from its upper end 32 and is configured to define a shoulder 30 therein. Valve element 23 is thus positioned within cavity 15 by its flange 27 seated on flange 31 of valve 14 and its shoulder 28 engaging the shoulder 30 within cavity 15. Cavity 15 is further configured to have a necked-down portion therein which defines an orifice opening 34. The bottom 36 of orifice opening 34 is in communication with a standard dip tube 35. The top end 37 of orifice 34 is normally blocked by the rounded end 25 of valve element 23. When the valve is to be operated, a downwardly angled force F" unseats the rounded end 25 of valve element 23 from the top end 37 of orifice 34. This permits the contents of the can to travel from tube 35, through the orifice 34, through a passageway 38 in valve element 23 whereby it is discharged through the actuator head 22.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two-stage valve 14 comprises a resilient body of generally circular crosssection configuration. In particular valve 14 is defined as having a second or upper shoulder portion 19, a lower or first shoulder portion 18 and a generally cylindrical intermediate portion 20 contiguous with and disposed between the upper and lower shouldered portions l9, 18. A terminal end portion 39 is contiguous with and extends downwardly from lower shoulder portion 18.

Terminal end portion 39 is shown as shoulder 40 and having an opening forming a part of cavity 15 which receives a standard dip tube 35. A cylindrical support member 41 having an opening 43 with an internal annular shoulder 44 extending from the opening 43 receives the terminal end portion 39 and thus maintains dip tube 35 in its proper position. Support member 41 has an outer diameter less than that of the opening 12 in the container. I

Referring now with greater detail to the configuration of the exterior surfaces of the upper, intermediate and lower portions 19, 20, 18, the upper shoulder portion 19 is shown as having an upper annular groove 46. In particular groove 46 comprises a cylindrical surface 47 of diameter greater than that of the opening 12 in the container, a generally flat, radially, outwardlyextending surface 48 contiguous with the top end of cylindrical surface 47 and an outwardly-extending arcuate lip surface 49 contiguous with the lower end of cylindrical surface 47. A cylindrical surface 50 of diameter greater than that of cylindrical surface 47 extends downwardly from arcuate lip surface 49 with its bottom end contiguous with a frusto-conical surface 51. Frusto-conical surface 51 has greater diameter equal to that of cylindrical surface 50 and a smaller diameter equal to or slightly less than that of cylindrical surface 47 Intermediate portion 20 comprises a longitudinallyextending, generally smooth cylindrical surface 52 with its upper end extending from the smaller diameter of frusto-conical surface 51 and terminating at lower shoulder portion 18.

The lower shoulder portion 18 comprises a lower annular groove 54 which has a diameter greater than opening 12 but less than that of upper groove 46. Groove 54 is defined by a longitudinally-extending arcuate surface 55 with one end extending from cylindrical surface 52 radially inwardly and terminating at its other end with a generally flat, radially outwardlyextending surface 56. A cylindrical surface 57 extends downwardly from the outward edge of flat surface 56 with its downward end terminating in frusto-conical surface 58. Frusto-conical surface 58 has a smaller diameter 59 which is less than the opening 12 in the top of container ltl.

Extending longitudinally and laterally and generally disposed within the lower shoulder portion 18 and radially inwardly of lower groove 54 are two diametrically opposed recesses 60. Recess 60 is defined as having an upper area 6ll and a lower area 62 with lower area 62 shown blending into the upper area long a horizontal line parallel to and in alignment with flat, outwardlyextending surface 56 of the lower annular groove 54. The lower area 62 is defined as being an arcuate surface extending parallel to the longitudinal centerline 64 of valve 12. More particularly the lower area 62 comprises a generally cylindrical configuration defined by radius R-ll struck in a horizontal plane.

Upper area 61 is defined as an arcuate area extending laterally and longitudinally outwardly. More particularly arcuate area 61 is defined as comprising first and second arcuate surfaces blending with one another; the first surface defined by at least one radius struck in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline 64 of valve 14 and the second surface defined by at least one second radius struck in a longitudinal plane parallel to the longitudinal centerline 64 of valve 14. In the preferred embodiment both surfaces are equal and defined by the same radius R-l. The upper area 61 is thus illustrated as bullet nosed or of sphero-conical configuration. It should be noted that upper area 61 intersects the cylindrical surface 52 of the intermediate portion 20 above the juncture of surfaces 52 and 55.

As thus defined, attention should be directed to a ridge or edge 63 formed at the intersection of the recess 60 and the exterior surface of valve 14 as shown in FIG. 3. It should be noted that this ridge in upper area 61 is arcuate and extends at its top portion-into the intermediate portion 20. Ridge 63 formed in the lower area 62 of recess 60 is generally linear.

As thus constructed, valve 14 should be contrasted to that of the prior art as shown in FIG. 4 with like numbers containing a prime identifying-like surfaces where applicable. Generally, the exterior configuration of the lower shoulder portion 18' of the prior art is similar to valve 14 of FIG. 3 with the exception of the surface 65' leading from the bottom groove 54 to the intermediate portion 24) which is shown as frusto-conical and not arcuate.

Now with particular reference to the configuration of recess 60, FIG. 4 shows recess 60' as having a generally flat bottom surface 66 in both the upper and lower areas 61 62' of the recess. The flat bottom surface 66 at its upper portion is wedge shaped 67' and tapers outwardly and terminates in a sharp edge or longitudinallyextending ridge or lip 68 located at the juncture of the first shoulder and intermediate portions 18', 20' of the prior art valve. The lateral ends of flat surface 66' are blended into the exterior surfaces of the valve by cylindrical surfaces 69', 70' of a given radius; intersection of cylindrical surfaces 69", 70 with the exterior periphery of the valve defining two parallel longitudinallyextending, linear ridges 71', 72'. Thus recess6tl defines basically a rectangular opening within the external surface of the valve having a periphery defined by linear lines 68', 71', 72 and the bottom of the valve.

OPERATION Valve 14 is assembled within the opening 12 of the container and the container charged and sealed as follows: The valve as a complete assembly including the dip tube 35 is placed into the opening until the edges of the opening contacts frusto-conical surface 56 in the lower shoulder portion 18. A downward force is then exerted on valve 14 and the edges of the opening 12 snap into the lower annular groove 54 as shown by the dotted line construction in FIG. ll. At this position the valve body has been sufficiently compressed to enable the opening to be firmly received within the lower annular groove 54 so that the valve is in a stabilized position. The exposed portion of the valve is then sealed by pressurizing means engaging the container top around the valve 14 and the container 10 is charged by propelling the charging material through the upper area 61 of the recess and into the container through the lower area 62 of the recess. The valve 14 is then pushed downward into the opening 12, while maintaining pressure, until the edge of the opening 12 snaps into sealing engagement with the upper annular groove 46 in the upper shoulder portion 19. The pressurizing means are then removed and the container ready for use.

Particular attention should be directed to the reaction of the valve body as it travels from its charging to its sealing position as shown in FIG. 5 and similarly illustrated in FIG. 6 for the prior art.

Prior art devices provide a frusto-conical surface 65 extending from the lower annular groove 54' to the intermediate cylindrical portion 20' of the valve. When the prior art valve is moved along its frusto-conical surface 65', the resilient material at the bottom 66 of the recess bears against the edge of the container opening 12 with increasing pressure. As the valve is pushed downward, pressure of the resilient material forces the longitudinally-extending ridges 71', 72' to, in effect, bend backwards on itself or bunch up (not shown in FIG. 6) and forces the bottom surface 66 to bear against the opening 12. While this, in itself, only requires a greater force to move the valve, the laterally extending sharp-edge lip 68' of the recess 60 above the opening 12 is simultaneously forced to increasingly protrude over the opening 12. When the edge of the opening 12 reaches lip 68, the valve is seized. At this point, not only is a much greater force required to seat the valve than in the present invention, but also this force is required to be applied with the valve 14' in a relatively unstable position, i.e. at the juncture of the first shoulder portion 18' with the intermediate portion 20'. Further, this additional force may result in tearing of the resilient material and thereby destroy its ability to seal the opening 12 at the second position.

The valve of the present invention overcomes these problems by providing an easy transition from the lower shoulder portion 18 to the intermediate portion 20. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 5, when the valve 14 travels past the opening in the lower shoulder portion 18, the bottom of the recess 60 is not unduly compressed against the edge of opening 12. This is believed to be achieved in part by the configuration of arcuate surface 55 and the hollow cavity 15 within valve 14 which permits inward deflection of the resilient member under compression.

Furthermore the cordal distance between opposite points on the edge 63 of recess 60 becomes increasingly smaller as the valve is pushed downward and the edge of the opening 12 travels upwardly along arcuate surface 55. This provides a wedging or ramp effect which prevents bunching of the resilient material at opening 12. Hence the resilient material tends to flow downwardly past and through the opening rather than bunching up above the opening as this is the path of least resistance. When the edge of the opening 12 reaches the juncture of the first shoulder portion 18 with the intermediate portion 20, there remains only a slightly exposed area of the recess 60 above the opening 12. Thus the transition between the lower shoulder portion 18 and the intermediate portion 20 is accomplished without interference from a recess overhang and occurs in a smooth and stable manner. Furthermore because the cordal distance of the exposed ridge 63 at this point is substantially small when compared to the area of the intermediate portion compressed between the edges of opening 12, no recess overhang is formed which would cause interference to further passage of the valve 14. Thus, valve 14 is easily assembled into opening 12 with less force than prior art valves and injury to the resilient body of the valve is avoided.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is our intention to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the present invention.

It is thus the essence of our invention to provide a two-stage valve for charging and sealing a container through an opening therein with the container being charged with the valve at one position by means of discontinuous recesses located therein which are espe cially configured to permit the valve to travel unimpededly to its second sealing stage.

Having thus defined our invention, We claim:

1. A two-stage valve for charging and sealing a container through an opening therein, said valve having a resilient body of generally circular cross-sectional configuration and including longitudinally-extending contiguous first shoulder, second shoulder and intermediate portions, said intermediate portion being generally cylindrical and disposed between said first and second portions, said first portion having a first annular groove and at least one discontinuous recess extending longitudinally above and below and radially inwardly of said first annular groove for charging said container when the edge of said opening is received in said first annular groove, said second portion having a second annular groove for sealing engagement with the container when the edge of said opening is received in said second annular groove after said first and intermediate portions have entered said container, the improvement comprising:

a. said recess defined as having contiguous first and second areas;

b. said first area extending radially inwardly and longitudinally downwardly from said first annular groove to the bottom of said first portion, and having a predetermined laterally-extending width; and

c. said second area extending longitudinally from said first annular groove to a predetermined point on the exterior surface of said resilient body and defined by first and second arcuate surfaces, said first arcuate surface defined by at least one radius struck in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of said valve and said second arcuate surface defined by at least one second radius struck in a longitudinal plane parallel to the longitudinal centerline of said valve.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said first arcuate surface terminates at a predetermined point in said intermediate portion.

3. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said first and second arcuate surfaces define a sphero-conical surface.

4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said first groove is defined by a generally fiat surface extending radially inwardly from the exterior surface of said resilient first portion and a longitudinally-extending arcuate surface, said longitudinally-extending arcuate surface intersecting said generally fiat surface and terminating at its other end at the juncture of said first and intermediate portions.

5. The improvement of claim 4 wherein the juncture between said first and second areas is in alignment with said generally flat surface.

6. A valve for a pressurized container fitting within an opening in the container comprising a resilient body having a passageway therein and a dispensing valve extending within said passageway for dispensing the contents of said container, said body having generally circular cross-sectional configuration and including longitudinally-extending contiguous first shoulder, second shoulder and intermediate portions, said intermediate portions disposed between said first and second portions, said first portion having a first annular groove and at least one discontinuous recess extending longitudinally and radially inwardly of said groove for charging said container, said second portion having an second annular groove for sealing the container when the edge of said opening is received in said second annular groove after said first and intermediate portions have travelled past said opening.

7. A valve as set forth in claim 6 wherein said dispensing valve has an actuator head and a valve element, said element affixed at one end to said head with its other end disposed within said passageway, said passageway configured to have at least one radiallyextending shoulder for securing said valve element therein. 

1. A two-stage valve for charging and sealing a container through an opening therein, said valve having a resilient body of generally circular cross-sectional configuration and including longitudinally-extending contiguous first shoulder, second shoulder and intermediate portions, said intermediate portion being generally cylindrical and disposed between said first and second portions, said first portion having a first annular groove and at least one discontinuous recess extending longitudinally above and below and radially inwardly of said first annular groove for charging said container when the edge of said opening is received in said first annular groove, said second portion having a second annular groove for sealing engagement with the container when the edge of said opening is received in said second annular groove after said first and intermediate portions have entered said container, the improvement comprising: a. said recess defined as having contiguous first and second areas; b. said first area extending radially inwardly and longitudinally downwardly from said first annular groove to the bottom of said first portion, and having a predetermined laterally-extending width; and c. said second area extending longitudinally from said first annular groove to a predetermined point on the exterior surface of said resilient body and defined by first and second arcuate surfaces, said first arcuate surface defined by at least one radius struck in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of said valve and said second arcuate surface defined by at least one second radius struck in a longitudinal plane parallel to the longitudinal centerline of said valve.
 2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said first arcuate surface terminates at a predetermined point in said intermediate portion.
 3. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said first and second arcuate surfaces define a sphero-conical surface.
 4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said first groove is defined by a generally flat surface extending radially inwardly from the exterior surface of said resilient first portion and a longitudinally-extending arcuate surface, said longitudinally-extending arcuate surface intersecting said generally flat surface and terminating at its other end at the juncture of said first and intermediate portions.
 5. The improvement of claim 4 wherein the juncture between said first and second areas is in alignment with said generally flat surface.
 6. A valve for a pressurized container fitting within an opening in the container comprising a resilient body having a passageway therein and a dispensing valve extending within said passageway for dispensing the contents of said container, said body having generally circular cross-sectional configuration and including longitudinally-extending contiguous first shoulder, second shoulder and intermediate portions, said intermediate portions disposed between said first and second portions, said first portion having a first annular groove and at least one discontinuous recess extending longitudinally and radially inwardly of said groove for charging said container, said second portion having an second annular groove for sealing the container when the edge of said opening is received in said second annular groove after said first and intermediate portions have travelled past said opening.
 7. A valve as set forth in claim 6 wherein said dispensing valve has an actuator head and a valve element, said element affixed at one end to said head with its other end disposed within said passageway, said passageway configured to hAve at least one radially-extending shoulder for securing said valve element therein. 